Malta Rugby eye win against Cyprus at the Tony Bezzina Stadium

The Malta rugby national team will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Conference One South when they host Cyprus at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday afternoon (kick-off: 2pm).

Damian Neill’s men are back in action following a frustrating 7-3 defeat in Croatia a fortnight ago and no doubt the home side will hellbent to clinch all spoils as they look to strengthen their grip on second place in the group.

Croatia are currently leading the way on 18 points, eight clear of the Maltese side, who however, have a game in hand, and will all but certainly seal their runners-up spot in the group with a win a the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

The Malta coach has effected only one change to the team that beat Croatia a fortnight ago with Luke Matthews handed a starting spot.

On the other hand, Matthew Camilleri is back in the squad while Karol Spiteri has earned his first call-up with the national team.

Cyprus are currently sharing third spot in the group with Israel on five points and have only one win to show from their opening three matches – a 28-0 win over bottom-side Slovenia.

The Maltese players will no doubt hope that the home crowd will again take centre stage at the Tony Bezzina and roar the team to victory as the national team hopes to maintain their impressive record on home soil in international record.

Malta’s starting formation

R. Apsee, T. Davey, D. Cerketa, M. Barbara, C. Sultana, D. Deguara, D. Apsee, M. Davey, T. Holloway, R. Holloway, L. Matthews, D. Busuttil, C. Dudman, B. Dalton, J. Zammit Randich.